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As the travel restrictions after Covid eased, my partner Helen and I decided to book a cruise in the Mediterranean, and after a little looking around, we chose an NCL cruise.
I spoke with Nikki, who came up with a package that included 7 nights on the Norwegian Jade, starting and finishing in Athens, and calling at Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey, and Greek islands Volos, Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini. Plus two nights at a hotel in Athens.
The package also included most drinks, wifi and service charges on the boat. All we needed additionally was a little spending money in the ports of call, which suited us fine.
Highlights of the trip were visiting the Acropolis (early in the morning to avoid the heat and tours), the Roman ruins at Kusadasi, and the Greek islands of Rhodes and Mykonos.
Santorini was as pretty as everybody reports, but was a little too busy to call it a highlight.
Best of all was sitting in a Mykonos bar and being joined by a HUGE pelican, who made his way to the kitchen!
NCL was very efficient at moving guests around, with all transfers and shore excursions well handled, as was the Covid test at the port before going aboard.
The only disappointment was the lack of vegan food for Helen on the ship, and the obvious lack of understanding of the staff. Although we enjoyed the cruise, if we do another one, we will be looking for a more vegan-friendly boat!!
Many thanks to Nikki who handled all the booking and paperwork for our Mediterranean cruise, and was cheerful and helpful throughout.
Andy & Helen